Information available obtained through sources within the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State indicate that the four [4] students slaughtered by the mob may have been the result of actions sanctioned by the community monarch of the Aluu in Rivers State.
The brutal beating, burning to death and video taping of the four University of Port Harcourt students whose names were reported as Ugonna, Lloyd, Tekana and Chidiaka was the result of official vigilante work setup by the community and authorized by the Rivers State government.
As gathered, the community of Aluu had experienced series of robberies and rampart killings – of which include rape of women and other violent crimes.
The community which has been described as a low income area populated by ex-militants – was said to take the rampart armed robberies and killings by the horns – and in so doing - the vigilante group set up a heightened watch over the community.
On the morning of the given day, believed to be Thursday or Friday [October 4 or 5, 2012], the community got information that the robbers had entered the community and had begun operations. Information had it that the robbers were tipped off of a wealthy man that had arrived to the community.
With the information of robbers having arrived to the community, the vigilante men were said to have blocked all entrances and exits of the community. At about 4:45am, the boys were nabbed by the vigilante men. They were five [5] at the time the vigilante approached them but one managed to escape.
The four boys were then dragged to the community head [Monarch] – where they were presented and questioned. During questioning, the stories of the four boys were said not to tally together. And so the beatings began. They were undressed and moments later they offered a “confession”.
Following the said “confession” the community head ‘gave’ the signal. An eyewitness said he gave a nod to the vigilante men who were dressed in a uniform – white and blue polo shirt.
The four boys were then paraded around the community while being beaten. The parade ended at a square where they were displayed to the community. The people of the community gathered to watch the beating of the four boys – who the Monarch had given the blessing for the lives to be taken.
As the beating continued – some within the community were said to have pleaded on behalf of the boys – asking that their lives be spared. But the pleadings fell on deaf ears. The beating continued till the vigilante men poured petrol on the boys and lit them on fire – with tires hanging on their necks.
They burned alive. And as they burned, none of the members of the community moved to save them.
The school administration is yet to make a comment on the incident but the head of the ASU Port Harcourt Branch, Dr. Adiele [a lecture at Uniport] told 247ureports.com that he was not aware of the incident and that he is confident that the incident was not at Uniport or involving Uniport students. The student government is yet to speak on the case.
Interestingly, the police have made arrests. Thirteen persons have been arrested including the Chief of the Community, stated the Police Public Relations Officer [PPRO]; Ben Ugwuegbunam. “The suspects are being interrogated by crack detectives from SCID department”.
The police also pleaded with the Uniport students to reman calm.
The students are reportedly on rampage, burning markets houses and attacking the community members some of who watched and filmed the horrendous killing of the students with their phones.
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